Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday petitioned the Supreme Court against what he alleged was a “contemptuous and derogatory campaign” carried out at the “behest” of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif targeting the apex court, judiciary, and a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the Sharif family.

Khan, in his application, alleged that PM Nawaz and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar orchestrated and choreographed a systematic and planned derogatory campaign against SC judges and the JIT in order to “obstruct the administration of justice, and hamper, impede and malign the investigations”

The campaign is being executed by the cabinet ministers, spokespersons, nominees and members of PML-N, he claimed, adding that the premier had been misusing his position for the purposes of the campaign.

The development comes after the JIT made startling allegations accusing government institutions and departments of tampering with records, creating obstacles in the probe and threatening members of the team.

The JIT had submitted an application in the apex court requesting it to take action against officials from the concerned departments and against those who “unfairly publicly comment in the media in relation to the JIT and this honorable court”.

The application urged the SC to pass “corrective orders so that the government machinery is not permitted to be misused”.

It also sought issuance of orders to ensure the security of witnesses, members of the JIT, and their families, while also securing the jobs and tenures of the JIT members and the witnesses.

PM Sharif must resign before appearance to JIT says Imran

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan has demanded that PM Nawaz Sharif resign from office prior to his appearance before the joint investigation team (JIT) on Thursday and requested the JIT to make public its report on how government institutions are hindering its work.

Speaking at a press conference at his Banigala residence on Monday, Mr Khan said: “Nawaz Sharif is not doing any favors to the nation by appearing before the JIT; he is compelled to do so because of the Supreme Court’s order and for committing corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and perjury.”

PM Sharif will be the country’s first sitting prime minister to appear before an investigating agency.